Water Conservation

Tips from Mayor Scarpelli...

Did you know that the average U.S. household uses approximately 400 gallons of water per day or 100 gallons per person per day? Luckily, there are many low-cost and no-cost ways to conserve water. Small changes can make a big difference – try one today and soon it will become second nature.

Take short showers - a 5 minute shower uses 4 to 5 gallons of water compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath.

Shut off water while brushing your teeth, washing your hair and shaving and save up to 500 gallons a month.

Use a water-efficient showerhead. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.

Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

Water plants only when necessary.

Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered. Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it and during the cooler parts of the day to reduce evaporation.

Fix leaky toilets and faucets. Faucet washers are inexpensive and take only a few minutes to replace. To check your toilet for a leak, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it or replacing it with a new, more efficient model can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

Teach your kids about water conservation to ensure a future generation that uses water wisely. Make it a family effort to reduce next month's water bill!

Rain Barrels

A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for watering plants and gardens. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally pour off your roof directly or flow through roof gutter downspouts and become stormwater runoff. Depending on your yard, this runoff can travel onto paved surfaces and eventually into a storm drain.